A pre-deployment training for the Emergency …Able to complete 15-20 hours of pre-course...

A pre-deployment training for theEmergency Communications Network

Course brochure

Emergency Communications Network

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This course is for experienced communications officers who wish to qualify for the

WHO Emergency Communications Network and be deployed in humanitarian crises

and public health emergencies. The course is run by WHO and is highly interactive

and participatory, and prepares participants for communicating effectively and safely

in humanitarian and public health emergencies.

• Intense training in communicating in emergencies• Epidemiology refresher• Health emergency response nature and architecture• Roles of communicators• Operational and personal effectiveness skills• Communications tools and procedures• “Deployability” assessment

AT A GLANCE


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Humanitarian crises and public health emergencies wreak death, destruction and disease throughout the world. With an unprecedented level of urbanization, travel and migration, the human race is increasingly vulnerable to disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics; accidental or intentional chemical and radiological events; and to natural disasters, armed conflict and other complex emergencies.

WHO’s leadership in responding to public health emergencies is outlined in the

International Health Regulations. Similarly, in humanitarian emergencies, WHO’s role

as “health cluster” leader is well established. However, the lack of a trained, prepared,

equipped and well-supported pool of experienced communicators is a serious

disadvantage for performing effectively in emergency response and is a risk to the

Organization’s credibility and reputation.

In early 2012, WHO’s Member States endorsed, as part of the Organization’s current

programme of reforms, that a network of emergency communications experts would be

developed, trained and deployed in humanitarian crises and public health emergencies.

COMMUNICATING IN EMERGENCIES

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This training is part of a broader project to establish a highly effective Emergency

Communications Network for WHO to improve WHO’s emergency response and

thereby protect its reputation.

The course is based in part on WHO’s pre-deployment training for humanitarian

emergencies, and builds on emergency communications experience ranging from

SARS (2003), the South East Asia tsunami (2004), chronic complex emergencies in

the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Uganda (throughout the past decade),

the Pakistan earthquake (2008), the H1N1 pandemic (2009), the Haiti earthquake and

cholera (2010), Fukushima tsunami and nuclear plant meltdown (2011), and many

more. WHO colleagues across the world reviewed their experience to make this

training as practical as possible.


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Communications is a fast evolving field. In an organization of public health experts, the importance of effective communications has not always been recognized.

This course, within a broader framework to identify, train, prepare, deploy and assess

the performance of emergency communicators, will play a significant part in helping

WHO communicate proactively, effectively, credibly and with one voice during emergencies

in support of the best health outcomes for people affected by emergencies. At the

same time, it aims to to strengthen trust in the Organization and improve its reputation

with countries and partners.

INTRODUCTION

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Course objectiveTo prepare communicators to work safely and effectively in humanitarian and public

health emergencies so that WHO’s emergency response work is conducted in a timely,

predictable and effective way to prevent avoidable mortality and reduce ill-health and

suffering.


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BY THE END OF THIS COURSE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO

1. Identify the core functions in responding to humanitarian and

public health emergencies

2. Describe and use the international instruments and systems

for humanitarian and public health emergency response

3. Develop feasible approaches to communicating in ethically and

politically complex circumstances by applying accepted humanitarian

principles and good public health practice

4. Understand and apply the full range of current communications and risk communications knowledge and practice ( media

communications, social media, risk communications, social mobilization,

outbreak communications, health communications for communicating

during emergencies and write sitreps, disease outbreak news, donor

briefs, health cluster communications products

5. Develop communication strategy, including the best mix of

communications approaches and products, within the context of

an emergency

6. Develop approaches and products for internal communications

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1. Identify the core functions in responding to humanitarian and

public health emergencies

2. Describe and use the international instruments and systems

for humanitarian and public health emergency response

3. Develop feasible approaches to communicating in ethically and

politically complex circumstances by applying accepted humanitarian

principles and good public health practice

4. Understand and apply the full range of current communications and risk communications knowledge and practice ( media

communications, social media, risk communications, social mobilization,

outbreak communications, health communications for communicating

during emergencies and write sitreps, disease outbreak news, donor

briefs, health cluster communications products

5. Develop communication strategy, including the best mix of

communications approaches and products, within the context of

an emergency

6. Develop approaches and products for internal communications

7. Act as part of a WHO emergency health response team in support

of the health goals and objectives of the respective deployment mission

8. Protect your own health, safety, security and that of counterparts

and colleagues while operating in dangerous or risky environments, and

integrate into, develop and nurture new teams

9. Describe and use WHO procedures for communicating in

emergencies

10. Manage administrative and financial aspects of the deployment

11. Use audio and video equipment for communicating in emergencies

12. Assess your own progress and performance and anticipate,

recognize and manage problems early on


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Segment A : IntroductionA1 Introduction to the ECN

A2 Selection process

A3 ECN Training course

Segment B . Humanitarian and health emergencies contextB1 Epidemiology refresher

B2 Understanding emergencies

B3 Health information in emergencies

Segment C: Communicating in emergenciesC1 Communications refresher

C2 Procedures and practices in emergency field communications

C3 Roles and responsibilities for internal and external communications

C4 Communication products in emergencies

C5 Information product-sitreps, disease outbreak news, health cluster products

TRAINING CONTENT

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Segment D: Operational effectivenessD1 Preparation for deployment

D2 What to do on the way and when you arrive

D3 Health and safety

D4 Security in the field

D5 Use of equipment in the field

D6 Departure and return

Segment E: Personal effectivenessE1 Team work and team building

E2 Negotiation skills

E3 Planning skills

E4 Performance assessment and management

Segment F: Self-learning and developmentF1 Learning plan

F2 Documenting and using deployment experience

F3 Self-assessment

F4 ECN training assessment

Segment G: Simulation exerciseG1 Case study

G2 Learning points

G3 Assessment criteria


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The course is based on the principles of adult learning and uses participatory approaches extensively. A variety of methods will be used including: lecture, discussions, debates, small and large group work, video discussions, question and answer sessions, demonstrations, fish-bowl exercises, hands-on practice, role plays and simulation exercises.

Participants will be required to complete between 15 and 20 hours of pre-course requirements such as:

• Watch a set of 10 on-line communications modules (20 minutes each)

• Complete the UN advanced security in the field course

• Take or enrol in the next negotiation skills course offered by WHO

• Read the WHO Communications Handbook

• Read and digest the WHO communications policy

• Enrol in the next round of “negotiation skills” course offered by WHO

• Complete the pre-course written assignment (2 hours maximum)

• Complete the pre-course questionnaire

METHODOLOGY

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PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS

This course is open to all interested and motivated communications officers or WHO staff. A few slots will be made available to external candidates if they are assessed as suitable by the WHO Director of Communications.

The minimum criteria for participation in the course are:

1. Current or past experience as a communications officer in WHO

2. At least five years’ experience in communications

3. Willingness to be deployed in emergencies as part of WHO’s response

team (at least once a year). Must have supervisor approval to deploy

for 4-6 weeks.

4. In good health for field deployment under difficult circumstances

5. Able to complete 15-20 hours of pre-course assignments

6. A good command of English (which is the language of instruction for

this course); multi-lingual abilities will be an asset

7. Submit proof of completing UN DSS security training (Advanced

security training in the field)

8. Approval for this training and deployment from the first-level supervisor


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The course faculty will be drawn from internal WHO experts as well as from external agencies. A full list of trainers and resource persons will be available before the training.

The course is organized and managed the Department of Communications in the

Office of the Director-General of WHO, together with technical experts from across

WHO at HQ, regional and country offices.

For more information contact:

Dr Gaya GamhewageCoordinator, Department of Communications (DCO)

Office of the Director-General (DGO)

[email protected]

[email protected]

THE FACULTY

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World Health OrganizationAvenue Appia 20CH-1211 Geneva [email protected]

A pre-deployment training for the Emergency …Able to complete 15-20 hours of pre-course...

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